Virutex Domino type plate jointer machine ?

[Rip Van Winkle]

I hope the thread title isn't confusing. I was looking thru the USA website for Virutex, the Spanish power tool manufacturer. Their USA website is sort of convoluted in the way it's laid out so I sometimes have to look thru multiple sections to find some tools, or tell if they're even sold in the USA.

Under "Panel Working Tools" there's a tool called the "Panel Joining Jig" model AB181. There's no description for the tool other than several pictures of the tool in use and a price of $700.

The pictures seem to show the tool making oblong slots like the Festool Domino. 

The actual machine apears to have a base/fence similar to the one on the Mafell Dd40 Duo Dowel. The base can be laid flat for working on the center of panels, or one part folded at right angles for working on edges. The motor mechanism appears to be one of The Virutex laminate trimmer motors that can be plunged on spring loaded guide rods. The plunging motor appears to attach to the base on lateral guide bars, possibly with stops, that allow the motor to be moved side to side to create an oblong slot.

I'm only guessing at the way it functions since there wasn't any description other than the tool images and name. I also tried the European and Spanish Virutex sites, as well as trying a Google search, and didn't come up with any more info.

This is the page on the USA Virutex site.
http://virutex.com/ab118.aspx

If the tool works the eay I think it does, it would seem more cimbersome to use than the Festool Domino. What intrigues me though, is that it might be possible to use the tool as an alternative to the Duo Dowell if used with carbide tipped plunge or drill router bits, in addiyion to using it for cutting dominoe slots.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Sorry, I'm going to try to attach the pics from the Virutex website

 

[Svar]

It seems like a plunge router with sliding base. i.e. you need to plunge and move your tool side to side.
Not a bad idea, but for $700 (compare that to Domino)?
Would be nice if someone made/sold bases like this without motor for use with any 43 mm collar router.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Here's a link to the product video. Looks like a nifty tool!

 

[jimbouk]

I think the lamello zeta p1 is the benchmark for this kind of fitting.

 

[Holmz]

Cheaper than a domino or a Zeta-P2, and breakdown/flatpack is a similar idea to the ClampeX.

One could probably use the connectors with a domino in areas where the domino is used for alignment and pocket holes and screws are used for holding it together.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Tom, thanks for the video. I didn't find that when I was looking. I've changed it now, but originally I listed the model as the AB118 when the actual model number is AB181. The correct model brings up more listings. It appears the video has only been up for about a week.

As far as the tool goes it seems to work more quickly thsn I thought it would. For knockdown fittings this seems interesting, but you can get knockdown fittings for biscuit jointers so it doesn't seem economical unless the fittings for the Virutex machine are significally less than the cost of the fittings made by Lamello or Knapp for use with a biscuit jointer.

Even after seeing the Virutex machine in operation, I still wonder if this could be used for Dominos or other sized floating tenons or dowels. I even wonder if Virutex might have designed it as a patent runaround for the Festool machine. There doesn't seem to be enough info online about it yet and I'm not sure whether Virutex grts as much publicity in the USA as it used to.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

I poked around online some more. It looks like the fasteners for the Virutex machine are made by an Irish company called Ovvo Technology.
http://ovvotech.com/product/

There are currently two types of connectors. One type is designed as a permanent connector, and the other type is designed to be releasable. A special type of cutter is used to cut the slot for the connectors. The cutter leaves a ridge on the center of the slot the connecor braces against. The cutters are available in carbide and diamond. The system was designed to be cut with CNC machines but Ovvo says that there will be a benchtop and portable machine for cutting the slots as well.

This is a Spanish brochure for the  Virutex machine. The brochure lists 12 x 51 next to the connectors, so I presume that might be the dimensions.
http://www.zuloaga.eus/down/2016 Virutex Folleto AB181.pdf

Formed-uk the uk distributor has the price for the connectors listed as .6720 pounds each.
http://www.formed-uk.com/products/HINGES@@2c%20CATCHES@@2c%20LOCKS%20@@2c%20FITTINGS%20AND%20ASSEMBLY%20ITEMS/PANEL%20CONNECTORS/OVVO.aspx